46.Talking freely

Tadaa!!!

As promised, here is the update... 😍

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Raina woke up from her slumber, her eyes were still drooping due to the effects of sleeping pills. She moved to bathroom to freshen up.

When she came back she saw nurse waiting for her. She sat down on her couch silently so that she can change her bandage of forehead.

Nurse smiled at her, "Ma'am, your injury is almost healed. Now you don't need to cover it."

Raina thanked her and the nurse left shortly. Raina moved to the mirror and looked at her reflection, her face was looking pale and dark circles were visible.

She ran her tongue on her dry lips to moisten it as she let some tendrils fall on the scar present on the side of her forehead.

It has been almost a week since she returned from hospital, she was resting in her room only trying to cope up with the situation.

She remembered words of Rana Uday Singh Rathore, "When you will be ready, then do tell me what you want to do next."

She collected her long brown hair and tied it with a band. She took a breath and walked out of her room. She looked around with interest , she was roaming around after a week.

She entered the room after knocking, biting her lips and looking around.

"Ria! You? Here? Come inside.",Vasudha called her.

She came towards Raina and smiled at her, Raina greeted her, "Good morning."

Vasudha replied her and made her seat beside her on the sofa. She held her chin turning her head sideways.

"Finally, got rid of bandage?", she asked leaving her chin.

Raina nodded.

"Who is it Rani sa?", Uday Singh came out of his closet dressed up in cotton shirt and pant.

He saw Raina seating there, he also sat opposite of her and asked, "Ria? Are you okay? Do you need doctor?"

"I am all good Kaka Hukum. Actually....",she assured him.

After thinking about her words for few minutes she started,"You asked what I want to do next. I came here to give my answer. I want to fight back Kaka Hukum. I want to know this world of business, I want to learn tricks of business. I want justice for my parents and I will snatch the luxury that killer is enjoying."

Vasudha was concerned over this, she tried to made her understand,"Ria. Think clearly before doing anything. As the saying goes, when you are on the path of revenge, dig two graves, one for your enemy and one for yourself."

Raina shook her head a little, she smiled and made her point clear, "Kaki Hukum, I am not taking revenge, I am taking back what is rightfully mine. I will not go on killing him like he did, I am not a monster like him. Papa always followed rules and ethics, how can I go against him doing immoral things. I want to be capable of fighting him in the field of business. I want to take back papa's company and mumma's NGO which he is using for money. I want to revive the legacy of my parents."

Uday Singh leaned back on the sofa, he asked with twinkle in his eyes, "So, what now?"

Raina looked at him and her mind went to consequences, with hope and determination in her voice, she said, "I will try to learn these tactics of business as much as I could. When I will be capable, I will give a dangerous blow to Jayant's crime empire."

Vasudha was looking at her in awe. She was strong, years of hardship made her cry many times but it also taught her to wipe her tears by herself and stand once again to continue the journey all by herself.

She stood up and said, "I should go now, I have to get ready for office."

"Office? Ria you are not healed completely...",Vasudha objected.

"Kaki Hukum, I am fine and most importantly I am ready." Raina chuckled softly and said.

"Okay, but don't take too much stress.",she schooled her.

Raina left the room.

"So much pain, but still she is trying to smile.", Vasudha muttered remembering her occasional smiles and chuckles.

Uday Singh placed his hand on her shoulder and squeezed a little, Vasudha leaned towards him.

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Meeting was going on and everyone was engrossed in the facts presented by financial department.Adya was looking at the files, her hands stilled in shock when she couldn't find one.

She leaned a little towards her brother and timidly whispered,"Bhai sa, I forgot. Raina was going to give presentation about project management and this slipped out of my mind. Even Mr. Agarwal is not here to take control of things instantly."

"What the hell is this? This is the heights of carelessness. She is on leave and nobody noticed it. Really?",his voice was low but the hard note behind it can be heard properly.

Adya ducked her head down embarrassed.

"Now management department will take over the conversation", that person said and sat down.

Adhiraj fisted his hand prepared himself to mention about his company's irresponsibility towards client.

"My apologies gentlemen for being late.", they turned to look at the door where Raina was standing holding the door knob dressed up in her usual formal shirt and trousers holding her tab and files in other hand.

She came inside and placed her things on the table, she went towards the projector screen and started representing the reports and plans.

Adhiraj was looking at her, she was taking few sips of water again and again because her throat was feeling dry due to medicines.

The meeting wrapped up soon, She went with one employee to see her pending work whereas Adhiraj went to his cabin with clients to sign the paper.

He was doing some work, when Divya entered the office.

"Mr. Rathore.", she said in over sweet voice.

Adhiraj cursed in his breath after looking at her.

She came and sat in front of him, "I have brought papers for the deal between SkyHigh industries and Rajputana empire."

Now he understood the meaning behind her sudden visit. He took the papers and said, "Okay, I will look into it."

She frowned slightly at his detached tone but again she put up her smile and said slightly leaning forward, "Adhiraj, we decided to date so we should give time to each other."

Adhiraj looked straight at her with pointed eyes, he gave her undivided attention and said in a grave tone, "Ms. Chauhan, don't forget who am I? It's still Mr. Rathore or Yuvraj sa for you. And I know we decided to see each other but that doesn't mean that I will be wasting my working time. "

Divya gulped seeing his calm composure but furious eyes.

He said,more then indirectly ordered, "You should leave now."

She nodded her head and hurriedly exited the room.

Adhiraj looked at those paper and sighed in annoyance, he picked up the glass and gulped the water. As the cold water went inside his system an idea popped in his mind.

He looked back at those papers, they were about few hospitals of Jayant Chauhan which originally belonged to Raina's mother.

He smirked dialling Akshit's number, he just remembered that Akshit had a pharmaceutical company and he was expanding his business and chain of hospitals was one of them.

Uday Singh only wanted to destroy Jayant so why not to destroy him in all ways, crushing him badly, defeating brutally and robbing him off from all of his hopes.

Akshit picked up his call, Adhiraj started talking while strolling in his cabin. Their conversation ended, Akshit was still in Jodhpur and they decided to meet up.

Adhiraj tucked his phone inside his pocket and looked at the city through his glass wall.

So much fun, isn't it? It's so much fun when your enemy doesn't know what is waiting for him. When he thinks that all the things are the bed of roses and couldn't see the poisonous thorns beneath those soft petals. And Adhiraj was doing same, he was slowly and slowly replacing those petals with thorns.

Adhiraj looked at his wrist watch, he had plenty of time before Akshit's visit. And truth to be said he was free that day but why would he want to spend time with Divya in any situation?

"A comforting drive won't hurt anyone ", He took his keys and walked out of his cabin. He was passing by the corridor looking around and employees were greeting him, he was about to enter elevator but stopped listening something. He looked at the small cafeteria in his right.

🔅🔅🔅

Raina was caressing her throat, her throat was feeling dry due to extensive talking after a whole week.

She went to cafeteria to get lukewarm water, she sat down on the couch sipping on the water which was calming her sore throat.

She was looking outside the window, she was feeling tired. The effects of medicines and bed rest was showing it's side effects.

She closed her eyes and leaned back on the sofa.

"Someone was bluffing so much about their work other day but now tardiness is all I can see."

Raina opened her eyes you see Divya standing at a distance and smirking at her.

Raina adverted her eyes from her and looked away muttering, "What I do is none of your concern."

"Oh Honey!! It does. You are being paid by my to be husband and you are wasting his money.", Divya replied in a bitchy voice.

"Why don't you focus on yourself instead of bossing around people?", Raina said in a restrained voice. The mind she had made a week ago to fight back was again going to the same darkness after seeing his daughter.

"Because that's what I am. A boss not some struggling employee. My father has enough to take care of me, I don't have to work my ass off like you to manage my meals.", she said.

That sentence infuriated a fire within Raina, daughter of the murderer who killed her father just for properties was bluffing in front of her about her luxury life.

She took a step towards her looking at her sharply, "You know what....."

She clenched her fist and continued with a gritted teeth, "You are nothing more than a rich spoilt brat. Here I can manage my life on my own but what about you? Without your father's money you won't even manage to earn a single penny. Really? Just look at the mirror and ask yourself about your achievements in life. You will see darkness. Believe me."

Colour from Divya's face drained off realising the harsh truth behind it.

"How dare you?", she screeched in defense gaining some attention towards them.

"What's happening here?", Adhiraj came there and a glare from him, everyone went away with their work.

"Mr. Rathore. See. She is misbehaving with me, calling me rich spoilt brat and what not.", Divya huffed.

Raina thought that he will again support her like earlier times but her hopes crushed down when he turned to Divya and said in a normal voice,"Divya you go, I will see what to do with her. You calm down and go."

Divya's face beamed hearing him saying that. She nodded her head gleefully and went away not before throwing nasty look in Raina's direction.

Raina was looking down mustering the courage of saying sorry, not to Divya but to him.

Adhiraj looked back at her, her eyes were going red along with her nose very well indicating that she was trying to control herself.

"Raina, come with me.", he said and turned to walk away but Raina was rooted on her place.

"Sir... I am so-", she tried to say but Adhiraj turned back looking at her darkly and asked, "Do you want me to drag you in front of all?"

Her eyes widened, she shook her head quickly. "Then follow me.", he again turned back and walked to elevator.

Raina quietly followed him and stood beside him in elevator and was constantly looking at her shoes.

Adhiraj called someone and said, "Hey, no need to come in my office. I will be at your home in a while."

Elevator opened and Adhiraj again went out ahead and Raina followed him. He stood near his car, Raina was confused and a little bit apprehensive.

She called him a bit loudly, "Sir, I am really sorry. I shouldn't have talk to your fiance like that. Just my emotions go-"

"How dare you?", he groaned in anger.

"I am sorry.", Raina looked down, thinking of a way out of this situation. He was definitely very angry on her and this thing was scaring her life out.

He opened passenger door and ordered, "Sit."

Raina looked at him with confusion but one look from him and she silently sat on her seat.

Adhiraj drove swiftly on the roads, taking deep breaths to calm himself.

'Fiance',that word from her mouth enraged him, but again he calmed himself and stopped his car in the middle of road and opened her side of door, Raina came out instantly and looked around, it was a roan passing through the hills, one can see the view of down from one side of road.

He came outside so did she. His naw was stiff but he was a little calm from earlier time.

"Raina. What was that?", he asked.

"Didn't Baba sa tell you?", he asked again.

"Tell me what?", Raina looked at him confused suddenly hearing his father's name.

"That Divya is not my fiance, I am just pretending this thing, just to make Jayant believe that he is one step ahead from us.",he said running his hand through his hair.

"What? Really? I thought...Thank God....Ahh..", she stammered not knowing what you say but her shoulder was relaxed from the information.

"But you were supporting her that time.", she complained like a child.

He smiled at her behavior, she was behaving like that with him for the first time otherwise her movements and words were very calculative and measured.

"I was not supporting her. I just didn't want to cross the line. I was enough rude with her and if I would have supported you openly then it would lead to extra caution from them.",he said leaning his back on the car and looking at the trees planted aside from road.

She also did the same.

After a minute he asked remembering her situation that time, "Why are your eyes red? Why were you on the verge of crying there?"

She didn't answered, she was behaving and feeling very unlikely. It was like she didn't has that proper grip on her emotions like always.

He started in a soft tone,"Raina, it's not bad to show emotions but you should know clearly in front of whom you want to let your walls down."

She said looking at him,"I know sir. I know it very well. That's what I was doing all these years. I think it's just aftereffects of that recent mental breakdown."

Her frustration was clear to his eyes, he nodded his head, "I understand.With time, you will be good. Just.... Take care of yourself."

She looked at him sensing some warmth and comfort in his tone, "I will."

Again silence prevailed between them, both were looking ahead.

Adhiraj said, "Baba sa told me this morning about your plans and I appreciate that but you will have to work hard for that."

She said with a sudden confidence which was missing in her from days, "I am ready for it with every ounce of  determination in me."

Adhiraj smiled slightly at that, her confidence was attractive like hell.

He said without any hesitation,"Raina, I would like to guide you through this journey. Are you ready to learn under me? In simple words would you like to be my student?"

Raina gasped and looked at him, she didn't saw it coming,him coming forward to help her all by himself, she was shocked, "Sir..... Are you sure? I mean you are CEO and a busy person.... Training me will be hectic."

He weaved off, "No, not that much. I am spending time on Adhvan so I won't mind another person in my study room. Moreover, your professional work is already good, you will have to work on your diplomacy skills and other things only. So, are you ready?"

She let out a full blown smile at his helpful approach,"Now, how can I ignore a golden opportunity when it is coming by itself. Yes sir I am ready."

He said sincerely, "In exchange of it, I want your full dedication so that you can learn fast. I want this Jayant chapter to be closed soon, I can't tolerate her daughter."

He said the last part in a weird way like she was an irritating insect which she was, actually. Raina let out a low giggle on that.

She said and promised herself the same, "I  will give my best sir."

He was looking at her, he couldn't st2op himself from saying,"You know, you should talk freely often. It's good."

She said in the flow with a giggle,"And you should smile more often."

Adhiraj raised his eyebrows in amusement, and her smile faltered realising what she said.

She bit her lips and muttered looking away, "Ahh... I am sorry."

He bit his cheeks from inside to stop that bubbling laugh after seeing her cheeks turning red, "It's nothing, well are you scared of me or something? This is the only thing I can conclude from the number of times you said sorry to me."

He teased her further and that poor girl ducked her head down letting the red colour intensify on her cheek bones.

He stood back on his leg and opened the door of her side deciding to spare her, "Let's go."

She looked up at him, "Where?"

Adhiraj sucked in a breath, her blush was still there but now he can see her more clearly, her nose was looking so cute with a tint of redness on that and her brown sparkling eyes and locks of her hair falling on her face was just....divine.

He said still in a daze "You will know?"

She nodded her head and slid down inside the car. He walked to driver seat and shook his head to shake off those feelings.

🔅🔅🔅

Car stopped in front of a beautiful villa. Raina observed it. It was a fascinating building with a touch of western architecture.

She went down and asked, "Sir?"

She looked at Adhiraj with questioning eyes.

"Come",Adhiraj went at entrance and knocked the door.

Raina followed him shortly.

The door opened and shensaw who was standing there.

"Akshit??", she whispered looking at him.

"Raina!! You here??", Akshit was standing on the door with his gaze moving from Adhiraj to Raina.

🔅🔅🔅

It was already evening, Adhiraj was driving back to palace from airport after dropping Akshit and Dia.

Raina was looking out of the window thinking about the sudden meet with her friends in afternoon.

Akshit had a meeting with Adhiraj but what came as a shock was that he and Dia was leaving that day itself because of Akshit's sudden demand in Mumbai and Dia was going back to Pune because she needed proper rest.

Thanks to Adhiraj who took her there, if not then they would have to come to palace in haste and they wouldn't get whole afternoon to talk.

She smiled remembering monkey's word, "Raina, truth to be told, I really wanted to take you back to Mumbai after your breakdown but Dia knocked some sense in me that it is your life and it should be your decision. Earlier I forced you to come to this city and now I am seeing why you didn't want to come here. But all happened in a past, think afresh and do what you want to. Just remember that this person, Akshit Nagar will stand with you in your thick and thins. We three are each other's family and it won't change ever. You will find me standing for you just like a rock whenever you will feel the need. If you will ever feel like coming back to Mumbai, just one call. And I have said this already but let me repeat, you are a warrior and you will fight back,more brutally."

Those were not just words, those meant world to Raina. This reminded her that she had few people in her life who care for her selflessly.

Adhiraj stopped the car in front of palace's main entrance and gave the keys to driver to park the car.

He was looking at her as she was coming down.

"Sir!!", she called him when he turned his back towards her to go inside.

"Thank you so much for that conversation, thanks a lot for talking freely with me, it was very needed.", she smiled and her eyes were twinkling in gratitude.

Adhiraj's face was soft, he just shook his with a small smile and said, "It was nothing."

After that, both of them went inside maintaining a little distance. When Raina was going away as their ways parted, he said, "Raina, I want you in my room at sharp 9:30 pm, after dinner."

Raina looked at him confused.

He tilted his head trying to make her remember,"Along with Adhvan."

Raina understood and nodded her head and went away.

Adhiraj turned to go when he found his siblings standing there with his best friend looking at him weirdly.

"Bhai sa, I think we need to talk.", Adya declared.

"Okay", Adhiraj scratches his neck a little understanding what she wanted to talk about.

Let's see what happens next😌

Many of you were asking that when the secret of their marriage will come out?

So... It will come out... But in most unexpected way. 🤓

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